Barbara Thomas (soapmaker)

When I told friends I was making soap, they arched an eyebrow and asked me if I realized that I could buy soap at the supermarket. But as a Chemical Engineer, what would you have me do as a hobby, refine used motor oil?

Making soap by hand allows the soapmaker the freedom to carefully select a blend of oils based on the characteristics each one will contribute. I use lots of olive oil for gentleness, coconut oil for fluffy lather and palm oil for a hard bar. I also use other oils for conditioning such as shea butter, mango butter and sweet almond oil.